'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The road to the most stupendous two-night event in WrestleMania history starts this Saturday night at the the 35th annual Royal Rumble spectacular.
The event will take place live on January 29 from The Dome at America's Center in St. Louis, Missouri. In fact, The Dome at America's Center will be the largest venue to have hosted the event in its history, which adds more grandure to the weekend's star-studded presentation.
Since the Royal Rumble's inception in 1988, the event has been known to throw some shocking twists and turns to set off the calendar year with pandemonium. From shocking returns, debuts and some jaw-dropping wins and eliminations, you just never know quite what to expect.
This year will be no different, with a 30-Man and 30-Woman Rumble match scheduled to take place, anything could happen. The unknown is what makes this particular event one of the most exhilarating nights on the WWE calendar.
We already know some of the surprise names that will enter the women's bout, including WWE Hall of Famers The Bella Twins and Lita. Legends such as Michelle McCool, Kelly Kelly and Summer Rae will also enter vying for a chance to headline WrestleMania.
That being said, let's take a look at the twelve most stunning moments from the history of the Royal Rumble. You can watch the video as well.
#12 Shawn Michaels defies the odds in the 1995 Royal Rumble match
In 1995, for the first time ever in Rumble history, a WWE Superstar entered the match as the number one entrant, and went onto the whole thing. The man who claimed the feat, outlasting 29 other entrants, was none other than Shawn Michaels.
Despite nearly being eliminated, with his feet dangling dangerously close to the floor, Michaels hung on. This moment in particular is one of the most iconic Rumble moments in history that is always replayed. He eventually eliminated the British Bulldog to claim his WWE Championship match at WrestleMania.
#11 Ric Flair enters the 1992 Royal Rumble match and wins it
With Hulk Hogan seemingly the favorite to win the match, who could have predicted Ric Flair would steal the crown. In 1992, The Nature Boy entered the Rumble match as the third entrant and fought for over one hour, finally eliminating Sid Justice to win.
This match was different than the usual Rumble matches we had seen at the time, as the vacant WWE Championship was also on the line. So not only did Flair etch his name in Rumble history, but also added another world title to his historic collection of reigns.
#10 The Undertaker wins his first Royal Rumble in 2007
The iconic WWE career of The Undertaker became even more legendary when he won his first Royal Rumble match in 2007. The Deadman entered his first Rumble match in 1991, and he was long overdue for a major victory in the contest.
The Phenom also became the first entrant to win the match, entering at number 30. He ultimately eliminated Shawn Michaels, who would become his WrestleMania rival a couple of years later.
They became the last two men in the bout and went back-and-forth for a heart-stopping ten minutes, before The Undertaker hammered the final nail in HBK's Rumble coffin by sending him crashing over the top rope.
#9 Cactus Jack, Dude Love and Mankind enter the 1998 Royal Rumble match
Mick Foley entered the Rumble match not just once in 1998, but three times overall. Known for his plethora of incredible personas, Foley entered the match at different stages using his different monikers - Cactus Jack, Dude Love and Mankind.
Despite having three opportunities to go all the way and rubber stamp his ticket to WrestleMania, he sadly fell short. However, the moment will go down as one of the craziest moments in Rumble history, seeing the "Three Faces of Foley" entered the match.
#8 Tough Enough winner Maven eliminates The Undertaker from the 2002 Royal Rumble match
Fans will remember Maven for winning the first-ever Tough Enough competition, but also for eliminating The Undertaker from the 2002 Royal Rumble match.
That's right, the young rookie, who underwent intense training under the watch of Al Snow on Tough Enough, did the unthinkable. Whilst The Undertaker's back was turned in the match, Maven hit a stunning dropkick to send The Phenom over the rope.
The moment is still considered to be one of the biggest upsets seen in a Rumble match.
#7 Beth Phoenix eliminates The Great Khali from the 2010 Rumble match
In 2010, Beth Phoenix became the second female in WWE history to enter the men's star-studded contest.
The Glamazon went toe-to-toe with The Great Khali, and despite his efforts to eliminate her, she tricked him into elimination with a kiss to send him over the top rope.
It was a unique way to eliminate the former World Heavyweight Champion, as many others had tried and failed. It is a kiss that neither Beth nor The Great Khali will ever forget.
#6 WWE Chairman Vince McMahon wins the 1999 Royal Rumble match
Who would ever have imagined, looking back at the history of the Royal Rumble, that Vince McMahon would have his name etched in history as a winner? Well, it happened in 1999, during a blood-thirsty brawl with arch-nemesis Stone Cold Steve Austin on the night.
McMahon and Austin entered the match at #1 and #2, respectively. The WWE Universe was finally going to be treated to seeing Austin take down his boss once again. The brawl in fact went all around the arena and into the backstage area, where Austin was lured to be beaten by fellow wrestlers.
After a short trip to the hospital, Austin returned to the match. However, then-WWE Champion The Rock appeared to cause a distraction, allowing Vince McMahon to throw him out of the ring. It was by far one of the most chaotic and shocking Rumble finales in history.
#5 The Rock comes to Roman Reigns' aid in the 2015 Royal Rumble match
Just as it appeared that Roman Reigns was on his way out of the Rumble match, thanks to The Big Show and Kane, a familiar face appeared to come to his aid.
His cousin, The Rock, made a shocking appearance to take matters into his own hands, and help Roman Reigns win the whole thing and secure his place at WrestleMania.
To this day it remains one of the most memorable moments of the last decade, seeing The Great One return and proudly raise the arm of his cousin.
#4 Kane sets The Undertaker on fire at the 1998 Royal Rumble
So this one didn't occur during a Royal Rumble match, but after a huge WWE Championship encounter between Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker. Michaels and Taker collided in a Casket match, in which The Heartbreak Kid won thanks to The Deadman's own brother, Kane, turning on him.
After the match, Kane and Paul Bearer padlocked the casket and rolled it up the entrance way. From there, they chopped holes in the casket and doused it with gasoline before setting it on fire. It was a jaw-dropping moment that the WWE Universe could not believe had happened.
#3 Edge shocks the WWE Universe at the 2010 and 2020 Royal Rumble
In the 2020 Men's Rumble match, Edge made an emphatic return to the ring. After retiring in 2011 on advice of medical practioners, this was the former WWE Champion's first-ever match since walking away.
The Rated R Superstar's return stunned the WWE Universe in attendance, who were sent into delirium when his music hit.
The same also happened in 2010, as Edge was out through injury and nobody expected him to be back in time for the Rumble. Instead, he entered at #29 and won the contest overall to claim his date with destiny at WrestleMania.
#2 The first-ever double win occurred in the 1994 Royal Rumble match
One of the most controversial endings to a Royal Rumble match occurred in 1994 when Lex Luger and Bret Hart were the final two in the match.
In one of the most unique situations in WWE history, both men went over-the-top-rope and hit the floor at exactly the same time. It left referees, competitors and the WWE Universe stunned as to what had just happened, and what would happen next.
Eventually, both men were declared the winner's, and they remain to this day the only double Rumble winners in history.
#1 John Cena defies medical odds and returns in 2008
John Cena shocked the WWE Universe in 2008 by entering the Rumble match, despite being expected to remain on the sidelines injured for another few months. Cena defied all medical odds after suffering a torn pectoral muscle in 2007.
The 16-time world champion entered the match as the surprise 30th entrant and sent Madison Square Garden into a mix of shock and jubilation. In a more shocking twist, Cena eventually won the match by eliminating Triple H.
It was by far the most stunning moment in Royal Rumble history that has yet to be matched.
If these epic moments are anything to go by, 2022’s event is set for more shocking moments. Fans can tune in on Peacock in the USA and WWE Network around the world on January 29 to watch the drama unfold.
A WWE Hall of Famer called out AEW fans HERE
